Plea deal

Prosecutors have offered a plea deal to an Odessa man charged with sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend’s children. Jesus Hinojos, 23, would serve 25 years in prison in exchange for his guilty plea, according to recently filed court documents.

A grand jury indicted Hinojos in October on seven felony counts, including continuous sexual abuse of a young child.

The children’s mother said she had an on again, off again relationship with Hinojos and that he lived with her and her children for about six months.

"It wasn’t just any guy. I trusted him and loved him," she said. "My son would call him ‘Dad.’"

The mother and the authorities did not learn of the suspected abuse until several weeks after it reportedly happened.

The mother said her 6-year-old son told her one day last year that Hinojos had applied lotion to his back and behind and then abused him. Upon hearing this, court documents show, the 8-year-old girl complained to her mother that Hinojos had made a habit of doing the same thing to her in the living room and bedroom.

The mother said her children are attending therapy for counseling. Both children also were taken to a local hospital for a sexual assault examination, the results of which prosecutors have subpoenaed.

Hinojos has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bond. A trial date is tentatively set for May 24. Hinojos has until seven days before his trial to accept or reject the plea offer.

His attorney, Bob Leahey of Odessa, did not return a call for comment Wednesday.